First proper road trip

[Guest]

So, Monday am I depart The D on the 1100 for southern (Bedford) Indiana to visit an old friend. I'll have a friend on a 1983 R80RT with me for that leg. Then, after hitting some of the good stuff around Bedford, I'll head up solo through Chi-town to Green Bay, then Escanaba, St Ignace, cross the bridge and follow the west side of the mitten down a bit, and then head home.

Fresh oil, valve lash, clean carbs, charging great, new tires & brakes, chain good & lubed, etc.

Any good tips for what to take and/or keep in mind? I've packed what I think is a good tool kit, and I'll be ready for cold/rain/high winds & scattered people, but any advice would be much appreciated.

[Highway_Glider]

Good to read.

All the best to you and your steed.

I am not from there but I followed your story well as I have gone through it once. And I now know (Thanks Dale) how to use "The mitten" to place things in Michigan.

[Steve]

Should have come to Bedford LAST weekend, and visited the rally.

.

[A-train]

Should have come to Bedford LAST weekend, and visited the rally.

.

VERY True.

Could not, but really wanted to.

Hopefully I will catch some of the same routes

[marvinsc]

VERY True.

Could not, but really wanted to.

Hopefully I will catch some of the same routes

Get a map, do not miss 450 (begins in Bedford), 150 and Indiana 66/62 (along the Ohio river)

There are others but these are worth making an effort to ride them.

[A-train]

Mountains

Well, I did end up heading down to Bedford, and hit some really nice riding while there.

However, when considering my next move, I caught a faint scent of the Smokies from the east, and it was impossible to resist.

Rode 3 hours in a serious T-storm in the dark to get me to Lexington, KY. The next day took me down to Deal's Gap/Tail of the Dragon, and then 321 out of Maryville into and up through the Smokies, before heading back north.

Definitely a must-do ride, even with the 500 mile rush to make it home on time

Oh, and the 1100 ran like a new machine. Hardly used a drop of oil for all 1,600 miles.

[850 Combat]

Man, that sounds like a great ride.

[A-train]

Man, that sounds like a great ride.

T'was indeed.

[Redman]

Yah, once you are in southern Indiana, heading to NC & TN sounds better than Wisc or the UP.

Could have pointed you to Brian Wringer great maps of southern IN with highlighted great roads. If you want them in future, search for bwringer Brown County.

Did ya like Bedford area? Make the rally and annual event.


.

[eil]

Cool ride!

[tkent02]

I've packed what I think is a good tool kit, and I'll be ready for cold/rain/high winds & scattered people, but any advice would be much appreciated.

You're going up there to scatter people?

Sounds like fun.

[A-train]

Yah, once you are in southern Indiana, heading to NC & TN sounds better than Wisc or the UP.

Could have pointed you to Brian Wringer great maps of southern IN with highlighted great roads. If you want them in future, search for bwringer Brown County.

Did ya like Bedford area? Make the rally and annual event.


.

I liked the Bedford area a lot. Tons of good riding, and very little traffic.

I need to make that rally next year.